Zimmerman Fire Near Roosevelt Lake Burns 375 Acres

Tonto National Forest officials continue to manage the Zimmerman Fire, a lightning-caused fire that began July 15 and has burned an estimated 375 acres southeast of Asbestos Point in the Sierra Ancha Wilderness on the Tonto Basin Ranger District. Occasional precipitation has calmed the fire over the past four days.

Fire specialists continue to manage the fire as it burns in extremely difficult terrain with steep cliffs. The predominant plants and trees in the area include chaparral, pinyon juniper and grasses. Fire personnel will continue to monitor this fire and conduct burnout operations along Forest Road 189 if needed to keep the fire north and west of the road. As the fire moves north into the Sierra Ancha Wilderness, it will be allowed to play its natural role in the ecosystem. Suppression efforts may be used to protect natural resources if fire exits the wilderness boundary.